Container cover plate



Jan. 17, 1933. R, w MAN 1,894,575

Foyer 11X ermam Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES ROGER W. SHERMAN, OF NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS CONTAINER COVER PLATE Application filed October 7, 1930. Serial No. 487,057.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application is a container cover plate having relatively movable parts and intended to besubstituted for thesolid cover plates with which such containers are usually equipped to insure retention of the contents of the containers during the shipping and handling thereof.

By way of example, this invention was particularly designed for use on five-pound tins adapted to contain cocoa preparations to be used at soda fountains for the making of hot chocolate by the addition of boiling water. As packed at the factory, the opening in one end of each tin is provided with a solid cover plate having a flange on one face thereof for frictionally engaging a similar flange formed by the edge of the opening in the end of the container. \Vhen in use at soda fountains, these covers were removed from the containers and frequently were not replaced because of the loss of time in securing them in place and removing them every time it became necessary to dispense part of the contents of the tin.

In order toeliminate loss of time by the frequent removal and replacement of the cover of these tins, the present invention was designed to form a substitute for the solid cover, in order that thecontents of the tin might be protected at all times and at the same time rendered readily accessible for dispensing purposes.

The main object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a lid or cover for acontainer adapted to be readily operated to expose the contents of said container whenever required for dispensing purposes and at the same time be readily moved to a position in which such contents were fully protected from contamination by exposure to the atmosphere.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the detailed description thereof proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of a container having the present invention applied thereto as a substitute for a solid cover plate with which such containers are usually originally packed;

Fig.2 is a central vertical section through the top of the container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a container hav 111% the present invention applied thereto; anc.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the lid or (over forming the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is applied to a container 1 having a rim 2 secured in the usual manner to the top of the C3 container. This rim 2 extends inwardly from the sides of the container 1 to form an annulus 3, the edge of which is crimped and down-turned to form a flange 4. Y i e The downwardly turned flange 4 is designed to form a friction ring adapted to receive a similar ring or flange formed on the usual solid cover plate which ordinarily fits very tightly in the said friction ring to hold the cover plate securely during the shipping 73 and handling of the packed tins.

When it is desired to dispense the contents of these tins, the solid cover plate is removed and the present invention is substituted therefor. This invention comprises a ring 5 formed as a cylinder the upper edge of which is in-turned to form a seating plate or flange 6 to which the lid or cover proper is secured. This cover comprises a segment 7 7, which is soldered or otherwise secured to the flange 6, and a second segment 8 hingedly connected to the segment 7, a handle 9 being secured to the top of segment 8 for convenience in raising or lowering the hinged segment 8 toward and from the seating flange 6.

It will be noted from the drawings that the segments 7 and 8 form a circular cover which extends beyond and overlaps the joint between the fiange 4 and the ring 5, thereby forming a stop to prevent the cover plate passing through the opening in the top of the container into the container itself. This overlapping also serves to prevent dirt or other objectionable matter getting into the joint between the cover and the opening therefor.

It will be understood, of course, that this type of cover is intended to be detachably seated in the openings of the tin so that it 109 may be used repeatedly on different tins by merely removing the shipping covers of said tins and substituting one of these display covers therefor. It will be obvious that by the use of display covers of this type a great deal of time will be saved in dispensing the contents of containers, and at the same time the expense involved in their use will be very small since each display cover may be readily detached from one tin to be substituted for the cover on another tin indefinitely.

While I have shown the invention as applied to a cylindrical container having a circular opening in one end thereof, it must be understood that the invention is not to be considered as limited to use on such container or With such openings. It is obvious that the invention itself is independent of the shape of the container or the dispensing opening therein, and the claims appended hereto are intended to be broad enough to cover containers without regard to their pan ticular shape or the shape of their dispensing a openings.

\Vhat I claim is:

A cylindrical container having a circular opening in one end thereof, the edge of said opening being formed as a cylindrical flange concentric with the cylindrical wall of the container, a circular cover plate overlapping said opening and having an annular plate secured to a segment thereof, said annular plate being shaped to form a flange adapted to fit frictionally in the first named flange, the other segment of said cover plate being hinged to the first named segment and adapted to be swung toward and from said flanges In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROGER WV. SHERMAN. 

